Special Donor Issue - University of Minnesota, Crookston

Rob Proulx ReceivesFrances Klein-Fortie ScholarshipIn 1946, the Experiment Station celebrated 51years since its founding. T.M. McCall whoserved as superintendent at that time, had beenan integral part of the Station and theNorthwest School of Agriculture (NWSA) for 35years. William Barron was teaching classes infield machinery, tractor, and motors. EdwinBennett was coaching cross country andwrestling, and Fae Hughbanks was instructingstudents in shorthand and typewriting.There were almost 400 students that year.Audrey Linde and Alvin Naplin served asthe class advisors. Mr, Naplin had to bereplaced when he left to join the Navy andAlvin Nordvold took his place as advisor. Whenthe class was in their junior year, they planned aprom with the theme “The Deep Blue Sea” creatingthe atmosphere for a long-rememberedevening. The class motto became “Forwardever; backward never.” With Edward Nelson asclass president, the class of 1946 won the annualsong contest and when they graduated theyknew it was just the beginning of each of theirlives’ and that each of them still had much toaccomplish.Frances Klein, nicknamed Fran, fromWarroad, Minnesota was one of the members ofthe class of 1946. She was an attendant to homecomingqueen, Geneva Iverson, along withColleen Skeie, Ellen Johnson, Iris Sinclair, andLillian Qualley. Frances enjoyed her years at theNWSA, she was member of the “Agony Sisters”with Ellen Johnson of Lancaster and placed secondin the annual all-student variety night inJanuary of 1946. She played “Hyacinth” in thesenior class play, “Brother Goose.” She was onthe class honor roll a number of times andinvolved in choir, basketball, and volleyball. Sheloved attending the NWSA.After her graduation, she went toMinneapolis, and in 1951, she enlisted in theU.S. Marine Corps. She received her basic trainingat Parris Island, South Carolina and waslater assigned as a receptionist to the UnderSecretary of the Navy at the Pentagon.One of Frances’ fondest memories was whenshe represented the U.S. Marine Corp in a“First Day of Issue” ceremony for a three-centstamp honoring women in the Armed Services.President Harry S. Truman presided over thisevent. The photograph of Frances representingthe U.S. Marine Corps was taken with PresidentRay K. Jonson, Cincinnati, Ohio and Lorraine AndersonNesland, Long Beach, California, members of theNorthwest School of Agriculture, Class of 1946,spearheaded the drive to honor their classmate andestablish the Frances Klein-Fortie Scholarship.Truman along with the 3¢ stamps issued in 1952are permanently together, framed, and hangingin the Development and Alumni RelationsOffice at UMC. Eventually, the photograph willbe hung in the Heritage Room in the KiehleBuilding.In 1997, the class of 1946, paid tribute to theirclassmate by creating a scholarship fund in herRob Proulx, recipient of the Klein-Fortie Scholarship, holds thephotograph of Frances Klein in 1952 with President Truman.8